The decision to axe a controversial care pathway scheme has been labelled "illogical" by a senior end-of-life doctor.

In July an independent review panel said they were "shocked" and "upset" at some of the "distressing" cases of care used. Credit: PA

Palliative care consultant Claud Regnard said scrapping the Liverpool Care Pathway - which recommends the withdrawal of treatment, food and water from some sedated patients in their final hours or days - is a "tragedy".

The decision to scrap the measure was made in July after an independent review concluded doctors had used the pathway "as an excuse for poor-quality care".

Advertisement

A Department of Health spokeswoman said an independent review into end of life care system the Liverpool Care Pathway, was commissioned last year by Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb and backed by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

I took the decision to launch this review because concerns were raised with me about how patients were being cared for and how families were being treated during this difficult and sensitive time.

We took those concerns very seriously and decided that we needed to establish the facts of what was happening so we could act where needed.

We need a new system of better end-of-life care tailored to the needs of individual patients and involving their families.

– Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb

It is likely to recommend that the LCP is phased out over the next 6 to 12 months.

Denise Charlesworth-Smith, who lives in Brookville, near Methwold, has told Daybreak that her father, Phil, was placed on the controversial Liverpool Care Plan by a Nottinghamshire hospital without any consultation with her family.